jicama

Also known as
Mexican potato, Mexican turnip, Yam beetroot, Potato beans.
Description
Jicama is a crispy, sweet, edible root that resembles a turnip in physical appearance, although the plants are not related. Jicama has been cultivated in South America for centuries, and the vegetable is quite popular in Mexican cuisine. Jicama is actually a legume, and it grows on vines that may reach 20 feet (six meters) in length.
How to select
When choosing jicama at the store, look for medium sized, firm tubers with dry roots. Do not purchase jicama that has wet or soft spots, which may indicate rot, and dont be drawn to overlarge examples of the tuber, because they may not be as flavorful.
Culinary Uses
· Jicama is excellent raw and is sometimes eaten plain.
· It can also be used as a substitute for water chestnut in Chinese dishes, in which case it should be thrown in right before serving.
· Jicama also appears in stews, juiced drinks, stuffings, and a variety of other recipes. In addition to having a unique flavor and texture, jicama takes flavor well, making it well suited to culinary experimentation
· Jicama has a unique flavor that lends itself well to salads, salsas, and vegetable platters
· Add thinly sliced matchsticks to your salad for a carb-free boost.
· Use thin slices as a taco garnish or mix with cabbage for cole slaw.
· Top jicama slices with fruit salsa or seafood salad for a quick appetizer.
How to store
Jicama will keep under refrigeration for up to two weeks. If not serving right away, briefly dunk the pieces in water with a squeeze of lemon in it, to keep the jicama from browning.
Health benefits
· Jicama is a great source of vitamin c and is fat free-making it a superb on-the-go snack
· Jicama is a nearly perfect food for healthful eating--low in calories, fat free, nutritious and satisfying
· They also provide a generous helping of folic acid, a water-soluble B vitamin that is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells--especially important during pregnancy.
· Researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland recently linked consumption of this component to preservation of bone mass in laboratory animals, due to improved calcium absorption, thus providing a guard against osteoporosis.
Glycemic Index
Low ( less than 55)
jicama cubes
Before eating, the coarse brown outer layer of the jicama should be peeled to reveal the white inside. Put the washed jicama on a chopping board and chop them in small 1-2 inch sized pieces. They can be halved, sliced, diced, cubed or even cut into julienne strips
More recipes with this ingredient...

Related Glossary
Follow US
Recipe Categories
- Vitamin B12 Cobalamin Rich Recipes 33 recipes
- Low Calorie, Weight Loss Indian Recipes 421 recipes
- Low Cholesterol Indian Recipes 307 recipes
- Healthy Indian Breakfast 372 recipes
- Indian Diabetic recipes 558 recipes
- Indian Pregnancy recipes 461 recipes
- Zero Oil Indian Recipes 133 recipes
- Iron Rich Indian recipes 267 recipes
- Healthy Indian Acidity recipes 132 recipes
- Healthy Sabzis 108 recipes
- Indian Healthy Veg Snack 275 recipes
- Healthy Heart Recipes 415 recipes
- Healthy Veg Indian Soups 74 recipes
- Calcium Rich Indian Recipes 373 recipes
- High Blood Pressure Indian Recipes 100 recipes
- Healthy Indian Salads Recipes 137 recipes
- Low Carb Indian Diet, recipes 160 recipes
- Hypothyroidism Diet 59 recipes
- Arthritis Diet 68 recipes
- Vitamin K Diet 41 recipes
- High Protein Indian recipes 93 recipes
- Fatty Liver Diet 30 recipes
- PCOS 131 recipes
- Gluten Free Veg Indian 193 recipes
- High Fiber 328 recipes
- Indian Cancer Patients 275 recipes
- Jaundice Diet 45 recipes
- Sprouts 61 recipes
- Typhoid 43 recipes
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 20 recipes
- Kidney Stone Diet 9 recipes
- Home Remedies 213 recipes
- Senior Citizen 195 recipes
- Diet for Dialysis 10 recipes
- Healthy Indian Drinks and Juices 212 recipes
- Gout Indian Recipes 17 recipes
- Potassium Rich 80 recipes
- Vegan 194 recipes
- Forever Young Diet, Anti Aging Indian Diet 255 recipes
- Indian recipes to treat Vomiting 7 recipes
- High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids 31 recipes
- Zinc Rich Foods 55 recipes
- Malaria Diet 17 recipes
- Vitamin B1 Rich Indian Foods, Recipes 101 recipes
- Vitamin A Rich, Beta Carotene, Retinol 87 recipes
- Antioxidant Rich Indian 445 recipes
- Low Veg Glycemic Index 86 recipes
- Lower Blood Pressure Salads 7 recipes
- Healthy Indian Dinner 85 recipes
- Magnesium Rich 94 recipes
- Vitamin C Rich Indian recipes 118 recipes
- Healthy Indian Lunch Recipes 29 recipes
- Lactation 25 recipes
- Hyperthyroidism Diet 46 recipes
- Vitamin B3, Niacin Rich 41 recipes
- Vitamin E Rich 50 recipes
- Post Surgery Diet 42 recipes
- Lower Blood Pressure Desserts Sweets 14 recipes
- Selenium 27 recipes
- Phosphorus Rich Indian Recipes, Foods 74 recipes
- Copper 15 recipes
- Foods Rich in Vitamin B2 Riboflavin 22 recipes
- Vitamin B6 Diet 36 recipes
- Vitamin B9 Rich Folate 50 recipes
- B Vitamins 231 recipes
- Manganese Diet 32 recipes
- Thalassemia 18 recipes
- Marathoners, Endurance Athletes, Triathlete 225 recipes
- Detox Water, Fruit Infused Water 42 recipes
- Lactose Free Dairy Free 22 recipes
- Omega 6 Fatty Acids 32 recipes
- Phytonutrients 51 recipes
- Chronic Kidney Disease Indian recipes 12 recipes
- Selenium1 0 recipes
- Quick Snacks / Quick Starters 385 recipes
- Quick Breakfast Indian 132 recipes
- Quick Sabzis 117 recipes
- Quick Rotis / Parathas 46 recipes
- Quick Indian Sweets 139 recipes
- Quick Stir-Fries 51 recipes
- Quick Vegetarian Indian Soups 72 recipes
- Quick Chutneys 67 recipes
- Quick Vegetarian Rice, khichdi Recipes 56 recipes
- Indian snacks under 10 minutes 44 recipes
- Quick Indian Dips, Gravies & Sauces 103 recipes
- Quick Veg Indian Pizza 17 recipes
- Quick Veg Pasta 25 recipes
- Quick Pickles / Aachar 25 recipes
- Quick Dals / quick Kadhis 29 recipes
- Snacks under 5 minutes 33 recipes
- Quick Healthy Recipes 43 recipes
- Quick Pressure Cooker 46 recipes
- Quick Desserts 48 recipes
- Quick 3 Ingredients 63 recipes
- Quick Indian Desserts 17 recipes
- Quick 4 Ingredients 41 recipes
- Quick 5 Ingredients 41 recipes
- Kids Tiffin Box 318 recipes
- Recipes for Toddlers (1-3 Years) 31 recipes
- Sweet Recipes for Kids 453 recipes
- Recipes for Baby (10 to 12 Months) 14 recipes
- Quick Indian recipes for Kids 72 recipes
- Indian Breakfast Recipes for Kids 192 recipes
- Recipes for Weaning (8 to 9 months) 20 recipes
- Healthy Foods for Kids 194 recipes
- Snack Recipes for Kids 619 recipes
- Recipes Kids can make 36 recipes
- Kids After School 794 recipes
- Kids Jar Snacks 66 recipes
- Finger Foods for Babies, Toddlers and Kids 76 recipes
- Kids Weight Gain 43 recipes
- Kids Wraps and Rolls 23 recipes
- Kids Veg Pasta 27 recipes
- Kids Brain Boosting 68 recipes
- Protein rich food for kids 69 recipes
- Recipes for Weaning 13 recipes
- Kids Pizzas 30 recipes
- Babies, Toddler and Kids Iron Rich Foods 31 recipes
- High Fiber Foods for Kids 39 recipes
- Kids Noodles 37 recipes
- Kids High Energy Indian Foods 103 recipes
- Kids Calcium Rich Indian recipes 91 recipes
- Kids Recipes for Increasing Immunity 10 recipes
- Babies recipes, 6 to 18 months 31 recipes
- Kids Weight Loss 58 recipes
- Teething Recipes for Babies 10 recipes
- Cereals and Pulses for 8 to 9 months Baby 5 recipes
- Weaning foods at 7 months 8 recipes
- Indian Teen 315 recipes
- Starters / Snacks 2136 recipes
- Indian Breakfast Recipes 819 recipes
- Main Course Recipes 925 recipes
- Indian Salads 385 recipes
- Indian Desserts , Sweets 985 recipes
- Indian Soups 249 recipes
- Indian Beverages, Indian Drinks 483 recipes
- Indian Dinner 903 recipes
- Indian Dinner1 0 recipes
- Indian Lunch 830 recipes
- Side Dishes 449 recipes
- Indian Travel Food 433 recipes
- Indian Barbeque1 recipes 22 recipes
- Frozen Foods, Indian Freezer Recipes 67 recipes
- Whole Wheat Recipes 56 recipes
- Indian Comfort Foods 212 recipes
- Dinner Menus 56 recipes
- Easy Indian Veg 70 recipes
- Innovative Indian Recipes 27 recipes
- No Cook Indian 37 recipes
- Advanced Recipes 10 recipes
- Cakes with Eggs 13 recipes
- Microwave 230 recipes
- Oven 619 recipes
- Indian Steamer Recipes 102 recipes
- Kadai Veg 406 recipes
- Indian Barbeque Recipes 42 recipes
- Sizzler tray 15 recipes
- Mixer 566 recipes
- Pressure Cooker 315 recipes
- Tava 646 recipes
- Non-stick Pan 1394 recipes
- Appe Mould 17 recipes
- Pan 223 recipes
- Indian Freezer recipes, meals 56 recipes
- Deep Pan 148 recipes
- Non Stick Kadai Veg 203 recipes
- Refrigerator 176 recipes
- Waffle Indian recipes 6 recipes
- Handi 12 recipes
- Juicer and Hopper 64 recipes
- Grill 30 recipes
- Toaster 21 recipes
- Gas Toaster 7 recipes
- Steam 72 recipes
- No Cooking Veg Indian 335 recipes
- Vegetarian baked Indian recipes 380 recipes
- Boiled Indian recipes 129 recipes
- Deep Fry 259 recipes
- Indian Tawa 266 recipes
- Shallow Fry Indian 25 recipes
- Microwave1 173 recipes
- Saute 274 recipes
- Indian Pressure Cooker 171 recipes
- Stir-fry 100 recipes
- Roasting 0 recipes
